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NHL hockey playoff experience: Toronto Maple Leafs will soon have it

Most of the Toronto Maple Leafs have no NHL playoff experience, largely because of eight seasons of failure. That should change soon

Toronto Maple Leafs James van Riemsdyk celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers April 8, 2013. His playoff experience will come in useful for the Leafs. (Andrew Francis Wallace / TORONTO STAR) | Order this photo

Most of the Toronto Maple Leafs have no NHL playoff experience, largely because of the team’s past eight seasons of failure.

But none are particularly worried about it.

“We’re a young team, but there are a lot of guys who have played a lot even at their young age,” said forward Joffrey Lupul. “There’s a little more experience here than we’re given credit for.”

James Reimer, for example, will be expected to carry a heavy load in the playoffs. He’s been carrying the weight of Leaf Nation for the better part of three seasons, and he thinks that’s experience enough.

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“As far as games played, I’m not that experienced,” says Reimer. “But I think when you play in a Canadian city with this much attention, you’re experience as a goalie is two-fold as compared to another city where there is no hype.

“You experience a lot more here than you would in other places. Maybe a little more experience in that sense.”

Reimer made it through the trade deadline unscathed even after being constantly reminded the Leafs were looking for a No. 1 goalie. Maybe Roberto Luongo. Maybe Miikka Kiprusoff.

Actually, he came through better than unscathed, posting numbers that put him among the game’s elite goalies.

Only nine Maple Leafs on the current roster know what it’s like to play in the NHL playoffs. James van Riemsdyk and Lupul — with 39 games each — are the most experienced.

“It’s a totally different animal,” said van Riemsdyk, whose post-season experiences came with Philadelphia. “You can just tell when you’re in the stretch run and you’re in the mix, you’ve got to pay attention to detail way more. Every shift is that much more important.

“The key is the little details of the game are that much more important, whether it’s getting pucks out, getting it over, finishing your checks, blocking shots, that sort of thing. You can’t let those details fall by the wayside. It’s usually so tight in the playoffs, things don’t go your way when you let those details slip a little bit.”

Cody Franson, who has 16 playoff games under his belt, says it’s easy to get overwhelmed in your first playoff game.

“Everything just gets amplified in the playoffs, energy levels, commitment,” says the ex-Nashville Predator. “Nobody has off-nights in the playoffs. Everybody has their A-game every night. It’s like things that you try to nail down in the regular season just come together.

“Everything tightens up. It’s tough to get scoring chances. You’re playing the same team seven times. You study the other team a lot. Pay attention to how they do things. It’s like a chess match. Every game is played a little bit differently.”

Franson says experience matters.

“For sure. The first time I went through it I was real excited, but not experienced,” said Franson. “It was one of those situations where you really pay attention to everything around you and learn as you go.

“The second year we went through it, I felt a little more comfortable, having that experience. I was more comfortable in those games when we needed a win and our back was against the wall, or when it’s tied 2-2 and that situation if you lose that Game 5, things like that. It’s nice to have that experience.”

There are some Leafs with impressive playoffs in their past. Randy Carlyle, of course, coached the Anaheim Ducks to 62 playoff games, including the 2007 Stanley Cup. And Phil Kessel was a point-a-game player with Boston (nine goals, six assists in 15 playoff games over two seasons).

“There is a difference,” said defenceman John-Michael Liles. “The intensity is just … it’s a game you don’t see in the regular. You step into a playoff game and it’s this extra level of focus.

“But you’re not going to hold it against somebody for having no playoff experience because ultimately, after the first game, we’ll all have playoff experience.”

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